Coimbatore, April 7 The scrutiny of nomination papers in the run-up to the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has taken a contentious turn in Gobichettipalayam, where the candidature of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) nominee K.A. Sengottaiyan has been kept pending following objections raised by rival parties.
Election authorities have sought detailed clarifications before taking a final decision, adding a layer of uncertainty to the high-profile contest in the constituency.
Sengottaiyan, a seasoned politician and nine-time MLA with prior experience as a minister under the AIADMK regime, submitted his nomination papers earlier this week. However, during the mandatory scrutiny process, representatives of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), including its candidate V.B. Prabhu, flagged multiple alleged discrepancies in the affidavit filed by the veteran leader.
Among the key issues raised was the validity of the notary attestation on Sengottaiyan’s affidavit.
AIADMK functionaries contended that the licence of the notary public who certified the document had expired, potentially rendering the affidavit invalid under election norms.
In addition, objections were also lodged regarding the alleged omission of details related to a residential property currently under construction, which, if proven, could amount to incomplete disclosure of assets.
Election officials have acknowledged the objections and initiated a review process in accordance with established procedures.
Returning Officer S. Sivanandham has directed Sengottaiyan and his legal team to submit the necessary explanations and supporting documents to address the concerns raised.
Officials indicated that a final decision on the acceptance or rejection of the nomination would be taken only after examining these clarifications.
The development has intensified political attention on Gobichettipalayam, a constituency with significant electoral weight and a history of closely watched contests.
While Sengottaiyan’s camp has expressed confidence that the issues raised are procedural and will be resolved in due course, opposition parties maintain that strict adherence to electoral guidelines is essential to ensure transparency and fairness.
With the scrutiny process still underway, the outcome of this episode is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the electoral dynamics in the constituency ahead of polling.
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